The Disney Look... to the Past! (January 11-17)

Hello, and welcome to the latest edition of the weekly feature known as "The Disney Look... to the Past!"
Enjoy reading all of the following interesting facts about the Walt Disney Parks, Resorts, Movies, and more:
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This Week in Disney History: January 11-17

Jan. 13, 1930 - The first “Mickey Mouse” comic strip appears in newspapers

Mickey Mouse had appeared in 14 animated shorts by 1929, but King Features Syndicate approached Walt Disney with a proposition that would help his newest star become known worldwide. They struck a deal for Mickey and his supporting cast to appear in a daily comic strip distributed to newspapers around the globe. The first strips were drawn by Disney Legend Ub Iwerks with inking by Win Smith, but both would leave the Disney Studios in early 1930. Walt then tapped Floyd Gottfredson, a new animator who was working on “Silly Symphony” shorts, to take over drawing the daily strip. His first edition appeared May 5, 1930, and it was a role that Floyd would hold for 45 years. Under his leadership, the comic department grew to produce five daily features by 1946, with Floyd himself produce the daily strip through his retirement from Disney in 1975. Floyd was posthumously named a Disney Legend in 2003, and inducted into the comic book industry’s Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 2006.

Jan. 15, 1999 - Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort opens at the Walt Disney World Resort

First, there were sports. Then, there was music. And like any good movie trilogy, the third in the series blows it wide open. Some of Disney’s biggest movie stars grace the grounds of the Walt Disney World Resort’s third All-Star Resort, from Pongo and Perdita of “One Hundred and One Dalmatians” to the residents of Andy’s room in “Toy Story.” With 1,920 rooms, there’s plenty of space for Guests to roam and relax before making their big debut in the parks. Inside Cinema Hall, stop by the World Premiere Food Court, where fresh favorites are served all day under five glimmering cinema marquees. And when you’re wiped out from walking the red carpet, take a dip in the Fantasia Pool while watching a classic Disney movie on the outdoor screen.

Also this week in Disney history:

Jan. 11

1929 - The first Mickey Mouse Club meeting is held at the Fox Dome Theater in Ocean Park, Calif.

1990 - Leaders officially open International Gateway at Epcot

2002 - Superstar Limo closes at Disney California Adventure Park

2012 - Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe' officially opens at Disneyland Park

Jan. 12

1999 - Disney and the search portal Infoseek officially launch the Go.com network

2001 - The Downtown Disney District officially opens at the Disneyland Resort

2003 - Disney leaders preside over the groundbreaking ceremony of Hong Kong Disneyland

Jan. 13

1934 - “The China Shop” (Silly Symphony) debuts

2001 - “Disney’s House of Mouse” (animated series) debuts on ABC

2007 - “Johnny and the Sprites” debuts on Disney Channel

Jan. 14

1949 - “Pueblo Pluto” (short) debuts

1955 - “No Hunting” (Donald Duck cartoon short) debuts

1990 - The first of two four-story dolphins are placed atop the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel

Jan. 15

1969 - The Adventure Tower (originally the Marina Tower) opens at the Disneyland Hotel

1975 - Space Mountain opens at Magic Kingdom Park

1975 - Carousel of Progress opens at Magic Kingdom Park

1986 - The Living Seas opens at Epcot

Jan. 16

1930 - “Summer” (Silly Symphony) debuts

1970 - The Walt Disney World Preview Center opens to the public

1994 - The inaugural Walt Disney World Resort Marathon begins at 6 a.m. in the Epcot parking lot

1998 - Touchstone Pictures releases “Kundun”

2003 - “Disney’s Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular” premieres at Disney California Adventure Park

Jan. 17

1996 - Disney’s Vero Beach Resort officially opens

2003 - Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular officially debuts at Disney California Adventure Park

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Thank you for reading, and have a great rest of your weekend!

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